Swapping to X-Bullit Advice Please!

[GSaltzman]

After years of using the Nosler 140 grain BT's I would like to try some Barnes X-bullits. I have been thinking of the XLC's if I stay with the 140 grain. I have heard some people say to drop to the 120 grain if going with the X-bullit. I would like some opinions on this since I will be starting soon. Thanks !

[Patriot_1776]

The XLCs are pretty good; but the Triple Shock X-Bullets offer very close the same performance, just in an uncoated bullet.  The reason being is the TSX uses rings cut into the bullet's body to reduce friction.  Either way, the X-bullets are a very good design, and the weights can be reduced to some degree.  They say a lighter bullet can be used because the bullet uses four sharp  edges once expanded to penetrate, instead of a blunt blob of lead; hence the extra weight is not needed to push the bullet through the hunted quarry.  Plus, their accuracy as a hunting bullet is quite inherent; the bullets have a hollow point design which in turn helps to initiate expansion.  If your gun likes the 140gr. bullets you have been using, I suggest trying 140gr. X-bullets first to see if they are similar in accuracy.  Hopefully others will chime in on their hunting experiences with these bullets, as I have no hunting experiences to share.  One tell-tale sign of an X-bullet in use is: Bullets are almost never recovered (pass-thru's), and yet the animal drops dead in it's tracks the same as, or most often better than with leaded bullets.  I only have done paper targets with them, and found them to be worth their price.  I hope your experiences with these bullets will be more than satisfactory.  As a last note, I have found the XLC's coating requires more patches to clean out thoroughly.  I use the TSXs in my 300WBY and after the proper break-in I did with my barrel, I need only approx. 5-9 wet patches using CR-10 to clean all copper out of the barrel; depending on how many rounds I shoot before cleaning.  Whereas in my 30-06, using the XLCs (I don't use them anymore though) I needed more like around 10-13 or so wet patches of the same to get it cleaned out good.  Just my opinion, but I think you will like the TSXs better once you've tried both types.  God bless, and hunters be safe.   Patriot

[Hcliff]

Remember to start with startin gloads.  X bullets have different pressure curves and they are longer than a standard jacket lead bullet.  This makes the bearing surface longer.  Also they need to start off the lands just like the loading recommendations say.  I love them.  They also like speed for accuracy.

Hcliff

[thejanitor]

hello- I made the switch from 130 speer, to 130 nosler ballistic tips and then to the barnes x. I did not like the "rules" on cleaning every bit of copper from the bore before shooting any barnes but did it. (as the Barnes were a christmas gift from my hunting buddy) Then worked up a very nice load that shot as good as the other two loads 1 inch @ 100. After doing this another friend asked where I got the load since I didn't have a barnes book... I said I just went throught my manuals and then through the powders to see which I had enough of to work up a recipe that worked.  I watched the primers and felt how easy the bolt handle lifted. I was then told you should NOT do that since they generate way different pressures. but I did not go up to max and was satisfied with the groups and when I shot at the pit I was amazed to have to dig in nearly a foot to find a bullet and even shooting into gravel it retained all but about 10 grains. This fall we shot 4 deer with that rifle and that is a load I will load for Elk if I ever do get to go but I feel for deer the next time I would see if I could drop down to a lighter bullet if they offer one.
     I don't think the deer I shot with the speers tasted any different than the barnes. But when I told people that I was shooting Barnes this year they all really looked impressed. Good luck, have fun & be safe. Brent
This was used in a .270 win.

[Hcliff]

I never had an issue with the cleaning rules.  I just shoot the gun then clean it.  It doesn't matter what I shoot through it.  The X bullet you can go down in a weight that what yyou are use to using. I have not seen the performance on game different in betewwn the 3 kinds of X bullets.  I have rifle that have a preference for a weight.  My 25/06 loves the 90 grain XBT.  It has been a devistation on white tails.   The 250/06 does not care for the 115 X bullet as well.  But that is for my accuracy standards, it won't print three shots under a inch constantly.  My 300 Win mag like the triple shocks over the standard X bullets.  Just my two cents.

Hcliff

[Sask_Hunter]

my buddy used the 120gr in a 7mm this year.  i watched him shoot 2 does that went straight down and i help skin out his big buck that took one through the chest, he said it didnt move after the shot. (would have seen it but i was sick they day he got it).  in total his rifle took 5 deer with 7 shots, 2 needed a finisher.

i shot an 700 pound buffalo last winter with a 140xlc in my 7mm.  the shot broke both shoulders and exited the cow went down like a snow plough and slid for a good 20 feet.  

been shooting barnes bullets on and off for a few years and i think they are the best bullet out there.  next year my remington will be shooting 120gr tsx and i hope to tag a big one.   good luck with your search.

[canadamoose1]

Gordy: I used the 140 gr Nosler Ballistic tip in my .270 for a few years as it was one of the only bullets that would shoot consistently well in my rifle. They would shoot 1/2' or better all day long where other bullets would shoot well one day and terrible the next. When the Nosler Accubond came out I tried them and they were also extremely accurate. Have shot 4 mulies and two moose with them and couldn't be happier.
Tried 3 boxes of Barnes but wasn't satisfied with the accuracy and got broke buying copper solvent. If you don't get any luck with the Barnes, try the accubonds

[northern hunter]

Hi guys.I have switched from a nosler partition to a Barnes bullet 9 years ago.I load then in a 7mm08,7mm-404 jeffery imp,7mm mag,2506 AI,308,3006,280,250-3000 AND 257 Weatherby,I went to them because of the great penetration and stopping power,I have found them to be more acurate then Partitions.I have shot 5 moose with them,and have recovered 3,Two were 150 gr.7mm.one was shot from a 7mm-404 imp,at 125 yards breaking the right shoulder and traveling the length of the body and breaking the left hind hip,bullet was just under the hide it still weighed 138 gr.after going through 6 feet of moose.other was shot from a 280 and weighed 146gr.My longest shot ever was this year useing a 257 Weatherby mag shooting a 100gr,xlc bt in a rechambered Ruger #1,that will consitently shoot 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups.the Big cow was 427 yards away meashured with a Bushnell range finder, going into the brush line.I hit her 2 out of 3 shots and the one recovered bullet still weighed 98.8 grs.I have shot 5 deer with them , my brother has shot 4 and my dad 2,they also love them.
My 12 year old daughter took her first deer this year a nice 3 point buck useing a 75 gr x in a Ruger ultra light in 250-3000,and the bullet shot length wise,front to back was recoved in the hind hip,It still weighs 75 grs.I just love them,they work and thats what I want.Also I dont find that it takes any longer to clean my guns then before.
Happy hunting.
Shoot once and carry a sharp knife

[Redhawk1]

I switched to Barnes bullets about 3 years ago. I started with my 375 H&H and now 90% of the bullets I reload are Barnes. I still use nosler bullets in my 22-250 and 22 hornet. I ordered a ton of them and have to shoot them all up first.    But Barnes is a great bullet in my opinion.  :grin: